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Israeli officials authorized arms transfers to Iran after the U.S. embargo.

The Claim

The Government of Israel authorized arms sales to the Islamic Republic of Iran after the United States imposed an arms embargo on Iran.

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The Short Version

Official records establish that Israeli authorities authorized arms transfers to Iran after the United States imposed its embargo in 1979-1980. Documented episodes include transactions in 1981 and Israeli-approved TOW missile transfers in 1985. U.S. approval or participation in some deals does not alter the fact that the Israeli government also authorized them.

Caveats

  • The claim does not specify whether it refers to the 1981 transactions, the 1985 Iran-Contra transfers, or both.
  • Some transfers also received U.S. approval or support, so Israeli authorization should not be interpreted as exclusively independent action.
  • The evidence is strongest for particular documented transactions, not necessarily every Israeli-linked arms shipment to Iran.

The Receipts

  1. Part III: Arms Transfer to Iran, Diversion, and Support for the Contras [Pre-Publication], February 22, 1987

    archives.gov

  2. Arthur Culvahouse Files: Series I: CF1130: Iran-Arms Transaction: Congressional Material: Joint Committee Report (7)

    reaganlibrary.gov

  3. Excerpts of the Report of Congressional Committees Investigating the Iran-Contra Affair | The American Presidency Project

    presidency.ucsb.edu

  4. IB87022: Arms Shipments to Iran

    everycrsreport.com

  5. brown.edu

    brown.edu

  6. Transferts d'armement et gestion des conflits : le cas de la guerre Iran/lrak (Partie 2)

    doi.org

  7. חומייני הבטיח לא למכור לישראל "אפילו ספל נפט". אז למה היא מכרה לו נשק? - ידיעת "הארץ" - הארץ

    haaretz.co.il

  8. SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE UNITED STATES SENATE

    intelligence.senate.gov

  9. U.S. reportedly let Israel sell arms to Iran Traffic continued after Reagan aides canceled approval

    baltimoresun.com

  10. Israeli Reportedly Set Up First U.S.-Iran Arms Deal

    washingtonpost.com

+ 20 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

Government Of IsraelIslamic Republic of IranUnited States

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